Group Prize - The Early Career Physics Communicator Award

The Prize objectives and scope

The IOP Physics Communicators Group invites applications from people at the start of their careers in physics who have undertaken activities that support and encourage excellent communication of physics. The prize is called "The Early Career Physics Communicator Award", and is offered annually.

Eligibility

Applicants do not need to be a member of the IOP, but should be one of the following:

An undergraduate physicist

A person involved in appropriate postgraduate study within a few years of a first degree qualification (not more than five years)

A person working as a physicist in UK or Eire within the first five years of their physics career.

The Prize

The winner of the 2015 IOP Physics Communicators Group award will receive £250 and an award certificate at an event to be held on Monday 23 November. As well as providing recognition of the winner's work through the prize money, the process will also facilitate networking opportunities for all participants.

Application

Applicants need to submit a report of their communication activities, which should be no more than 1500 words long.

The report should be accompanied by the applicant’s CV and include:

Brief details of their academic physics work or study

Evidence of communication activities undertaken to encourage others in physics' appreciation or the general understanding of physics

The names and contact details of two referees with close knowledge of the applicant's work and/or their communication activities

The application submission deadline for the 2015 prize is Monday 5 October. Submissions need to be sent to the Group Secretary, Dr Chris Sinclair, using the official entry form.

Please note:

Any person wishing to nominate another for the prize must enclose the written consent of the nominee.

At the award ceremony those shortlisted will be expected to give a presentation (no more than 10 minutes) after which the winner will be announced.

Shortlisted candidates must be prepared to be interviewed by the IOP and appear on IOP websites and within IOP publications.

The Results from the 2014 Prize Event

The 2014 Group Prize was won by Claire LeCras. Claire demonstrated originality and commitment in combining her interest in dance with her in-depth knowledge of astrophysics. Her projects, working with ballet groups, impressed the judges with their effectiveness in engaging non-scientific people with complex astronomical principles.

The prize was presented by Professor John Butterworth, who also gave a keynote talk on Communicating Smashing Physics. Following Professor Butterworth’s address, presentations on their communication activities were given by the four shortlisted finalists:- Claire LeCras- Jasmin Evans- Meriame Berboucha- Michael Hodgson.Runners-up certificates were presented to Jasmin, Meriame and Michael.